Madeira Half-Day Tour: Wine Tasting & Mountain Viewpoints

Glide down ancient streets in a wicker toboggan after tasting local flavors

A half-day sightseeing tour of Madeira visiting three viewpoints—Pico dos Barcelos overlooking Funchal Bay, Eira do Serrado at 1,094 meters with views of the Curral das Freiras valley, and Monte's 18th-century gardens and church—plus a wine cellar tasting of Madeira's fortified varieties. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included; the tour runs four hours and operates daily except holidays.

Step-by-step itinerary

Madeira sightseeing and wine tasting

• Visit Pico dos Barcelos viewpoint
• Drive through eucalyptus forest to Eira do Serrado viewpoint
• Explore Monte village gardens and church
• Optional wicker basket toboggan ride to Funchal
• Visit wine cellar for Madeira wine tasting

The Experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel in an air-conditioned vehicle. The first stop is Pico dos Barcelos, a viewpoint about 335 meters above sea level with a panoramic view over Funchal Bay and the city. From there, the route climbs through an old narrow road lined with eucalyptus forest, leading to Eira do Serrado at 1,094 meters. This second viewpoint opens onto the valley of Curral das Freiras, ringed by steep green mountains, and from the same vantage point you can see the small terraced fields growing fruit, vegetables and sweet chestnut trees that dot the landscape below.

The tour continues to Monte, a village in Funchal's suburbs, where you'll visit the gardens and an 18th-century church. If you want to descend back to Funchal, you can take an optional ride in a wicker basket toboggan—a traditional transport that originated in the early 19th century and slides down to Livramento. This part is paid separately at the time. Later in the tour, you stop at a wine cellar (closed on holidays) to taste different varieties of Madeira wine, the fortified wine the island has produced since the 17th century.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• air-conditioned vehicle.
• live English-speaking guide.
• wine tasting at a local cellar with samples of Madeira's fortified varieties.

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats available

Operated by Intertours

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you're visiting Funchal and want to see multiple high-altitude viewpoints—Pico dos Barcelos, Eira do Serrado at 1,094m, and Monte's gardens—in one guided afternoon rather than navigating the island's narrow forest roads yourself.

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Top questions

What is the view like from Eira do Serrado on this Madeira tour?

Eira do Serrado sits at 1,094 meters and overlooks the valley of Curral das Freiras, surrounded by steep green mountains. From the viewpoint you can also see the small terraced fields below growing fruit, vegetables and sweet chestnut trees.

Is the wicker basket toboggan ride included in the tour price?

The toboggan ride from Monte down to Livramento is optional and paid separately at the time, not included in the tour cost.

Does this tour include wine tasting?

Yes, the tour includes a stop at a local wine cellar where you taste different varieties of Madeira wine, the fortified wine produced on the island since the 17th century. The cellar is closed on holidays.

What is included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with transport in an air-conditioned vehicle and the wine tasting at the cellar. The toboggan ride and any food or drinks beyond the wine tasting are not included.

How long does this tour take?

The tour runs four hours total, including all three viewpoints, the visit to Monte's gardens and church, and the wine cellar tasting.

Is a guide provided on this tour?

Yes, a live English-speaking guide is included with the tour.